Falling Foss Tea Garden - North Yorkshire's Best Kept Secret

I'm not sure where I first read about Falling Foss Tea Rooms but it's been on my list of places to visit in North Yorkshire for what feels like forever. I'm so pleased we made the trip recently as it is such a natural beauty spot and a real hidden gem.

Falling Foss Tea Garden is around 75 miles from Newcastle (a 90-minute drive) and approximately 6 miles South of Whitby. It feels like a hidden tea garden (that everyone seems to know about) in the middle of an enchanted forest. 

There are stunning waterfalls, natural play areas, nature trails and walks through the woods, becks to paddle in and then the tea gardens themselves have a firepit where they sometimes provide free marshmallows for toasting, covered seating areas, sunny corners and plenty of quirky little play activities to keep the kids entertained. 

They serve cracking homemade food from a little hatch in the garden and service is with a big smile too. Oh and dogs are welcome - there were lots of four-legged friends (on leads) enjoying lunch with their owners in the garden after a walk in the woods on the day of our visit.

Need to know:

• Parking is £3 cash in an honesty box
• The tea garden does not accept cards so bring cash
• Falling Foss Tea Gardens are dog-friendly 
• Postcode - YO22 5JD
• Open - April-September daily from 10:30am-4pm but check their Facebook page here for changes or call them before setting off
• Website - https://www.fallingfossteagarden.co.uk/

First of all, I need to let you know about accessibility. The tea garden is literally hidden in a forest and there's a bit of a climb down a rocky hill from the main car park to get to it. It's nothing too strenuous and toddlers could manage it but I doubt my grandad would make it and you wouldn't be able to take a wheelchair or pushchair down there (see the second photo below to see what I mean). 

I did see a few cars right next to the tearoom though and after researching a little online, I think they have a couple of disabled bays right by the tearoom if you continue past the main car park. 

If you would struggle with the hill, I'd ring the tea garden on 07723 477929 before heading out for exact instructions on where to park (apologies I completely forgot to ask them about this when we visited). If you're visiting with a baby, you'll need a sling or baby carrier to get down the hill. A pushchair would be a struggle. 

We parked in the overflow carpark as it was fairly busy. Parking costs £3 which you pop in an honesty box. As we walked down the hill towards the tea garden (which is well signposted), we were blown away by the stunning Falling Foss waterfall. It's magnificent! 

We visited after a long week of rain and the waterfall felt and looked super forceful but when the weather is a little milder, children can swim and play in the pool here. 

The tea gardens are so wonderful and almost feel like some kind of community-led forest school. They provide lots of ideas and facilitate natural fun in the area. You could definitely spend a full day here. We were only here for a flying visit but next time I really want to visit the cave (which is also well signposted).

The tea gardens are beautiful. I expected at least part of them to be inside so was surprised to see that everything was outdoor. There's a nice mix of undercover and uncovered seating areas so you'd have no problem visiting in the rain. The tea gardens are right by the waterfall and you can hear it crashing down behind you as you enjoy drinks or a bite to eat. 

There are nice loos onsite (although only two of them so there may be a bit of a queue if it's busy) and little natural areas to keep the children entertained including wooden jenga, a slide and wooden sculptures. My three were very taken with the three bears. 

You order food from the little hatch in the garden. Apologies that I didn't take many food photos but we were starving! The menu is small but perfectly formed. Alcohol, hot & cold drinks, homemade cakes and ice cream are also available. 

You won't find a fancy coffee menu here - cafetieres of coffee are the only option (so no skinny lattes). We decided to go with a pot of tea and hot chocolate and both were spot on. Food seems to all be sold in recycled cardboard containers where possible. I assume this is all then recycled again which is in-keeping with the ethos and feel of the tea garden. 

They serve huge portions here. Harry and Heidi went for the nachos with cheese only (they are weird for not wanting spicy salsa and sour cream too) and if I'm honest, they definitely could have split these between them. Jack went with an ice cream. 

I ordered my favourite cheese and pickle sandwich and Steve opted for BLT. Sandwiches are served with salad, crisps and homemade coleslaw. OMG the buns were packed with filling and so soft. One of the best sandwiches I've had in a long time. We visited on a fairly busy Saturday but service was really quick. 

The kids had a little play around the gardens after their lunch while Steve and I finished our drinks. We were surrounded by nature and it felt like we in some kind of natural paradise. 

After lunch, we took a mini walk around and had a few games of pooh stick on the bridge. We'll definitely return next year and spend the full day exploring. I'll bring the kids' swimsuits and a towel too as they were dying to jump in. 

If you're looking for a lovely place to visit for a relaxed afternoon amongst nature with the kids (and the dog), Falling Foss Tea Garden simply has to be on your list.

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Please follow social distancing rules & Government guidelines , respect the local area. leave no trace, take litter home, park responsibly and if somewhere is busy on arrival, please consider leaving and returning at a later date. 

Always check updated opening hours / protocols / parking advice and charges with venues direct before setting off as things may have changed since this post was published.